Sean had left at about six o'clock when he was needed to help settle the 3 new couples. He claimed some rooms weren't ready.

The lonely hours before sunset gave me time to think about today.

Would Leo leave or stay?

Would Molly go with him?

Would I be left alone with just Sean when they both go?

Would Leo be able to stay here?

Would Phoenix allow him? He already has one Gamma.

It was highly uncommon in this pack to have mated couples. It was a pack of war and strength for a reason. Mates were a weakness, children especially because you could get distracted in battle. And since this pack was the first on the scene in any war, they needed to be ready to go. I don't think they've had any pups in twenty years. Most of them moved away to have a cosier pack life.

I sighed and turned my attention to the sun setting out my window. I felt my fingers itch to draw and I hesitated, deep in thought. A small wander outside and sketch wouldn't hurt, right?

With an enthusiastic mind, I gathered my sketchbook and pencil case. I pulled on some shoes and walked my way out of the pack house. I was grinning with my bag of stationery in hand as I marched my way into the forest at night. Definitely not a witch or anything...

I found the hill by heart and paused at the bottom when I saw a figure sitting on top of it already.

"You're late," Phoenix mumbled.

I furrowed my eyebrows and climbed the hill to sit next to him. "I'm late?"

His face turned to glance at me, red streaks of the sunset lit up his jaw. "You're late. The sun started going down ten minutes ago."

I chewed on my lip to stifle a laugh. "Well, I didn't come last night either."

"I know." He nodded. "I waited on you but when I checked the mind link you were engrossed in girl talk."

"You used your Alpha ability against me? How rude." I teased.

He chuckled a deep vibration that relaxed my muscles. He didn't say anything else, just sat back on his hands as he stared at the horizon. I laid off to the side of him on my stomach, placing my sketch pad and pencils in front of me.

We stayed in silence as I drew, and I found my eyes wandering to glance at him. I could feel the humming of the mate bond, our wolves connecting and healing one another in many ways.

My mind became preoccupied with the thoughts of cuddling into him as I drew, and I couldn't stop but wonder how it would feel to be held like that. I allowed myself the thought at least, as I went into my dream-like trance to draw. I had to sharpen the red and orange pencils a lot, but Phoenix never questioned what I was doing.

As the sun nearly disappeared, I deemed my little drawing done. I stared down at it in wonder, my head tilting to examine it. I had drawn... Phoenix?

I pulled myself up to a sitting position and sucked on my lips with nerves when he glanced my way.

"You finished your drawing?" He wondered and I nodded. "May I see?"

My eyes widened in alarm, but he reached for the book anyway. My fingers didn't fight back as I wanted them to and he took it with ease.

Damn fingers.

He froze as he studied the page, his jaw clicking with a stern expression. I chewed on my lip and wrung my hands together, waiting for a comment.

"You drew me?" He whispered.

I mutely nodded and looked into the trees to avoid his gaze. I had drawn him. As he was right now.

In the picture, he was leaning back on his hands, legs stretched out in front of him. His dark shirt was unbuttoned halfway, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had obviously come from his office, as I had watched the stress lines vanish the longer, he had sat here.

His hair was ragged like he had run his hand through it too many times. His jaw was covered with dark stubble, but his eyes were closed as he basked in the sun's rays. Behind him were bunches of dark trees, streaks of yellow and orange golden sun rays blinding their way through their gaps. The skin on his exposed chest and neck seemed to glow so I had made it so vibrant against the contrast of the dark trees.

I drew him as I saw him. An ethereal being. A Phoenix, glowing as it rose from its ashes. Peaceful and magnificent. Raw.

"It's okay, you didn't have to see-"

"It's amazing." He breathed.

I snapped my gaze back to him to see he was staring at me. His hazel eyes crinkled as he studied me, a wonder in his thoughts.

"What's wrong then?" I asked.

"No one has ever drawn me." He shrugged. "I like it."

A huge blush covered my cheeks and I had to force myself to look away from his smile. The rustle of clothing drew my attention to see him standing up. He looked down at me as he ripped the picture from my sketch pad.

I gasped and shot up to my feet in protest. "Hey!"

"It's mine now." He teased, folding it in half and placing it in his pocket.

I dropped the hostile demeanour and crossed my arms instead. He tore my sketchbook.

"Walk with me?" He cocked his head, a soft smile on his face.

I mutely nodded and gathered up my pencils. Once they were all together, I cast a last glance to the horizon before I turned to him. He was studying me, the dark shadows of the night made him look so terrifying, but I knew he wouldn't do anything by the smile that graced his lips when I turned to face him.

He held out his hand, the one not holding my sketch pad and I stared at it in wonder. It was so large and rough; I knew just how warm it would be by looking at it.

"Just take my damn hand, Nova."

I looked up to his face to see him roll his eyes at me. "Did you just roll your eyes at me Alpha?"

A low grumble left his chest, his eyes flashing black. He dropped the hand and took large strides towards me. I gasped and began to take steps backwards until I was at the edge of the wide hillside. His hand slowly lifted to cup my jaw and my shoulders sagged in relief at the gentle contact. His thumb ran its way across my lips, and I closed my eyes at the pleasure coming from his touch.

"Why is it, every time you open that mouth of yours... I can't help but admire every single piece of you." He breathed.

My eyes opened to see his face so close to mine. My mouth opened and closed but no words came out.

"I wish so much that I could make you mine Nova. I can feel the bond growing. But I know I have upset you, by keeping things from you-ah, don't speak." He smiled, cutting me off. "It's not fair on you and I see that now. I see what an amazing woman you are becoming, and I can't help but want to grovel at your feet for forgiveness."

My mind swam with ecstasy. His breath fanning across my face did nothing to stop the excitement that coursed through my veins. I could see myself reflected in his dark eyes, his wolf so close to the surface. The small amount of gold left behind glowed in the night; a predatory colour if I ever saw one.

"Grovelling... would be nice," I whispered.

He chuckled and leaned his face away from me, only to plant a kiss on my forehead. He straightened himself up and dropped his hand from my face. I frowned as the sudden cold wrapped around me, my foggy mind clearing as it did.

Time to be brave.

"Why won't you just accept me?" I asked softly.

He sighed and looked out at the now dark horizon. "It's not that I don't want to... it's just... complicated."

"Why is it?" I pushed.

"I just can't, Nova, not now."

"Please, Phoenix. I need answers." I was practically begging. "Is it because of Lyra?"

He barked a laugh and turned to me in surprise. "Lyra? Why would she be involved?"

I shrugged and looked down, feeling stupid for saying it. "You're just so cosy with each other."

He stepped forwards again and grabbed my face in both of his hands, my sketchbook falling to the floor. His hazel eyes darted between mine, the incredulous expression on his features still made him look handsome. I was rather liking the stubble too. Damn gorgeous man.

"Lyra is nothing but a childhood friend Nova. I have known her since I was 8 years old. We befriended each other because her father is a King's Alpha as much as mine was." He smiled softly, not letting me go. "We bonded over loneliness because our fathers both believed that the pack was more important than any relationship... She is to be a mated female next month; with the Beta of her pack. She came to me for advice, and as her friend, I gave her that. She doesn't want to do it, but her true mate died fighting for her, the Beta won, and her father is making her mate with him. He is old-fashioned, stuck in the King's ways where high ranking mates have to fight any competitors who want the title."

I blinked at him, mesmerised by the story he told. His eyes held mine and I was trapped by his honey gaze. I knew he was saying the truth, my gut and something deep inside me told me he wouldn't lie.

His thumb stroked my cheek. "She comes off rude and uncaring because that is who she is forced to be. Just like everyone else. She doesn't want to, just as much as I don't want to. But it's how we were moulded and raised. I have never taken any relationship with her other than friendship. I apologise to say I have admittedly bedded women, strangers, in my youth Nova... but Lyra is not that kind of woman to me."

The ache in my chest worsened when he spoke of his sexual relations. I had no right to feel sad and envious about it since I didn't know him then, but I had hoped... But again, he is an Alpha and I'm guessing there have been women in his life for many years and he probably wasn't one to resist. I mean he was powerful and handsome so... Although, I still had no idea how old he was...

'Twenty-seven human years.' Cel whispered.

Twenty-seven? How is he so powerful so young?

"I could never do that to you, Nova. You are mine." He whispered, drawing my focus back to him.

I blushed, fawning over his words. I felt a little bad about how I analysed Lyra when she visited. I assumed she was a man stealer. I always made myself not judge people on their appearance, but I was so blinded by jealousy I let her have it coming.

'She fought back though.' Cel reminded me.

True. She was just as rude to me as anyone.

'She deserved it.' She barked.

"Then-then why won't you claim me? If she's not the pro-problem what is?" I asked, exasperated.

He sighed and took one hand away. The other stayed on my jaw before tracing a finger down my neck and collar bone. I shivered and goosebumps erupted on my skin.

"I can't tell you yet, because as soon as you know, things will change. I wish I could, but things need to be done before and I have a lot to work out. Give me... give me two weeks Nova. I promise you will have your answers to everything. I must wait; I must sort some things out first. Please." He smiled sadly. "Please, it's the last I ask of you."

Two weeks. It felt so far away. It had to be important, the desperation and sadness in his eyes supported that theory.

But in my haze, I nodded. "Okay."

He sighed in relief before his lips gently pressed against mine. My eyes fluttered shut at the pleasure of his lips on mine. It had my hair stand on end, my stomach turning to mush and my legs turning to jelly. His hold on me was strong and I sighed into his touch.

All too soon he pulled away, not prolonging the kiss anymore. He took his hand back and smiled down at me, moving it to clasp the pencil case in my hand.

"Let's go. It's getting cold." He smiled and picked up my sketchbook.

I mutely nodded as he took my hand and led me down the hill, his other hand holding my things. We walked through the trees in silence until we passed the training grounds.

"You did really well during the fights, by the way. Celimene is impressive." He suddenly spoke.

"Thanks." I chuckled.

Cel was moaning in my head, practically prancing around in glee at his words.

"I have to admit I didn't think you'd make it with Jess. She's one of the best female wolves we have and Celimene has never trained. When you got hurt, I nearly damn shifted but thanks to Sean I didn't." He sighed. "How's it healing?"

I blushed when he turned to look down at me. I could get used to this caring, relaxed Phoenix.

"It's okay, closed up most of the way. A little achy when I use it too much."

He suddenly slowed his pace down at my words and our walk turned into a gentle stroll. I blushed knowing he did that to not strain me and I was grateful because his long-ass legs were a lot faster than mine.

"The scent of my t-shirt definitely would've helped." He added.

My eyes widened in surprise at his teasing, but he just chuckled at me and didn't say anything further.

We walked through the house and up the stairs in peace. My head was swarming with emotions and thoughts. I couldn't calm them down. He had admitted a lot of things tonight, and showed me another side of him I rarely saw. One I haven't seen in months. The tough Alpha had dropped his walls and for once I saw expressions; emotions... anger, sadness, shock, even mischief.

I gained more information for me to comprehend. More than I knew what to do with. I felt bad about Lyra, but I hoped what he said was true.

But two weeks.

In two weeks, I would know what is going on and why it's such a secret that we're mates.

"Goodnight, my Nova." He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Night, Phoenix." I whispered and slowly closed my door on his beauty.

It was going to be a long two weeks.

***

I'm just blown away by you guys I've been writing so much today (I've wrote 4!) so here's another chapter.

How did you find this book?

Was it a hashtag? A recommendation?

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